Page 3 of Cruel Devotion

Somehow, I managed to make my way to my room without a single creak. Once inside, I closed my eyes and slumped against the door. Gasping for breath as the world finally caved in. My hand darted out on its own accord to where I knew it hid: at the top of my dresser beneath the framed picture of Archie. As soon as the cool blade made contact with the pads of my fingers, I pulled it toward the edge and snatched it up. Placing it between my lips, I slammed my head back against the door, not botheringwith the lights as I rolled my dress up. I chased a release only the blade could give me.

Widening my legs, I pried the blade from my lips and dropped it to the sensitive flesh of my inner thigh. Still tender and raw from Cohen’s fingers and the last time I’d done this. My lips were suddenly dry. I knew I should pick a new spot, a fresh one, but I couldn’t. There was something about the high I got from dragging the blade against freshly raised skin. I didn’t have to look, didn’t need to confirm where it was slicing.

With a flick of my wrist, a shaky breath rattled in my chest. My shoulders shook as puffed skin parted like an ‘x’. I couldn’t feel it pebble, but my body relaxed when the warm liquid rolled down my thigh.And just like that, all of my problems disappear.

I didn’t deny myself another slice. Standing there, I knew I’d cut too deep when I grew lightheaded. But I was okay now. Swiping the blade on my skin, I returned it to its hiding spot. As much as I wanted to take a hot bath and read a few more chapters of my current read, I was exhausted. Slipping out of my dress, I stepped into white satin shorts and pulled on the matching cami top. When I finally made it to my bed, I lifted the blanket and crawled beneath it.Cohen was wrong; I didn’t think about him.My eyes fluttered closed, and it wasn’t long before I dozed off.

I don’t know how long I’d slept before I teetered between sleep and consciousness. I was no stranger to nightmares, but tonight, something was different. Hands roamed unapologetic in their search. Something wet bumped my foot and a smooth tongue dragged up my leg. The hairs on the back of my neck stood and goosebumps broke out of my flesh. A heavy gaze bore into me, and the need to run coursed through my veins. I don’t know how long I fought with my paralysis demon. A heaviness pressed down on me, suffocating, as I struggled to break throughthe surface. When I broke free from his spell, my eyes snapped open, only to be met with darkness.

“Please!” I rasped. Sitting up, I slapped at my thighs. My body finally listening to my brain. Unable to shake the feeling that something just wasn’t right, I searched the shadows. The ragged sound of breathing filled the room, and I froze. A pair of glowing eyes watched me from the foot of my bed. Whimpering, I wrapped my arms around my legs.

I have to be dreaming.

This felt too real.

It was still there.

Shaking my head, I admitted the truth out loud.

“This isn’t a dream.”

Lure

Earlier—The monster

A low, rumbling growl filled the night sky at the memory of my brother’s preferred glamoured face. The human features bothered me, though I lacked the words to explain why—it just did. Irritation had my ears folded back against my head. The desperate whimpering of my prey dragged my attention to the claws slicing into flesh. The lesser creatures were silent when I hunted.

The moon slid lower and the shadows grew. I had to get back. Success was mine, and saliva dribbled from my maw. Control. Patience. I couldn’t slip again. Last time I’d devoured a village. I flickered between going back and tearing into the feast beneath my arms. Want and need were two different things, but the lines blurred, and my hunger grew.

The more I killed, the more animal I became. I’d once put more thought to my actions. Ryder warned me there would be nothing left of the brother he knew. I chuffed at that; I’ve always been this way. No curse had changed me. He was the one who wanted to be more. We were enough. There was only a spark left in the abyss of my soul.

I needed to feed. To claim. It was impossible to stay within the castle walls when hunger gnawed at me. Women—fresh, young, and pure—were an easy fix, but they never satisfied the hunger. More. It was hard to breathe within the castle walls. Thekingdom. Our people. Always watching. He hated when I left. I was harder to control. No one could stop me. I ran, chasing what I needed, covering ground for hours. Until I found two young virgins. They were enough—for now. It twisted inside me—raw, unquenchable, a craving for flesh and endless nights. The urge to pierce through flesh, gnaw on supple skin, and to have a cunt to thrust into, almost drove me to madness.

It had been too long since I’d returned with a prize in hand, but I was running out of moonlight. My resolve wore thin and my shoulders rose and fell, not with exhaustion, but excitement. Pine filled my lungs, mingling with their feminine scent. The tallest tower of the castle loomed in the distance, mocking me. Close. Yet so fucking far. I found it hard to remember why I couldn’t have them now. Why did it matter if I ate at home or out here?

Both were unscathed. A low, angry growl rumbled in the back of my throat, and the one to my left wriggled in my grip. I needed her still. Snarling, saliva flew. The redhead ignored my warning. She kicked and screamed. Pathetic. As if she could get away from me. My need assured me I was practically home.

Hunger won. I was no longer in control.

My fur stood on end and my cocks hardened as my beastly needs surged through me. I dropped them. The redhead scrambled away while the blonde remained. She bowed her head and kept her gaze on the ground. I growled in approval at her show of submission. My attention darted to the other as she stood. My cocks twitched as she flew forward. I couldn’t stop myself when they ran. My muscles tensed, coiling with the urge to give chase, to tear through flesh. Her fear soaked the air, burning my senses, and I bathed in it. My tongue slid over my canines, tasting victory. She was making this hard.

As if to bait me, she glanced over her shoulder. Our eyes locked—hers widened before she fell face first. Her fear-drenched scent hit me with full force and fire caught to flame. She never had a chance.

I’d hoped she’d make it a little further before hunting her down, but now, seeing her on all fours, I knew she wouldn’t make it back. All thought disappeared as my eyes locked on wet pink pussy as it peeked out at me from beneath her dress. Both her holes begged to be stuffed, and I moved on instinct. The need to feed blended with lust. I was upon her before she could attempt to get away.

The moon lit the surroundings, and my shadow swallowed her. She whimpered, her hands clawing earth, clutching handfuls of grass. The scene was familiar—prey never changed. First, they tried to escape. I was fast, my furry arm snapping forward to grab a fistful of her hair. She screamed as I lifted her off the ground. Grass tore and clumps of dirt hit the floor. She squealed like a pig off to slaughter. Legs dangled and tears streaked down her red, puffy cheeks. Her body twisted in my grip as she scratched my arms. Her screams turned to cries as she realized her attempts were futile.

The fight only aroused me further. My reflection stared back at me: a hideous beast with glowing eyes, razor sharp canines, and a wolfish face. I was a monster.

“Please, please let me go. I want to go home,” she begged. The last thing they did before accepting fate.

Her voice grated on my nerves, high-pitched and sharp. Lowering my head, I dragged my tongue up the side of her face. The promise of supple flesh was intoxicating. Ignoring her pleas, I inhaled her scent. I’d take what I needed, then gorge, feeding the emptiness inside me.

Dropping her, she sobbed as she stared up at me. Desperation and horror splashed across her features as her gaze trailed lower. Her mouth dropped open as she took in the long cocks that bobbed above her, the veins visible against the pinkskin. Understanding filled her eyes as she realized death wasn’t the only thing she needed to fear.

I craved bearing witness to the way her eyes would widen when I slammed into her and claimed her virginity. She would take me. I needed the evidence of her purity dripping down my knot as it pulsed. Women loved both holes being filled. This one was no different. She may kick and scream at first, but she’d moan and writhe beneath me. Dropping to my knees, I grabbed her by the hip and calf. Spreading her legs wide, survival instincts made her body go limp.

Pushing my face between her legs, I lapped at her inner thigh, and her back arched. She was so sweet, so soft. My eyes darted to where her nipples pushed against the thin fabric. All that fighting and for what? For her to give in to what we both knew she would like?

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